Gaming terminal with special-event wager having different denomination increment than basic wagering game

ABSTRACT

A method for playing a wagering game having a special payout. In response to a player making a wager of a first denomination, a gaming terminal conducts a basic game having a randomly selected outcome. The terminal then presents a side-wager option for a player to be eligible for the special payout. The side-wager option requires the player to make a wager of a second denomination that is different than the first denomination. If the randomly selected outcome of the basic game is a basic game winning outcome, the player is credited with an award in the first denomination. However, if the player selected the option to be eligible for the special payout, and the randomly selected outcome is a special randomly selected outcome, then the gaming terminal awards the player the special payout.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/637,562, filed Dec. 21, 2004, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to gaming terminals for playinga wagering game and, more particularly, to a wagering game having aunique feature for allowing a player to make a wager on a special event.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gaming machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines, and thelike, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for several years.Generally, the popularity of such machines with players is dependent onthe likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machineand the intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to otheravailable gaming options. Where the available gaming options include anumber of competing machines and the expectation of winning each machineis roughly the same (or believed to be the same), players are mostlikely to be attracted to the most entertaining and exciting of themachines.

Consequently, shrewd operators strive to employ the most entertainingand exciting machines available because such machines attract frequentplay and, hence, increase profitability to the operator. In thecompetitive gaming machine industry, there is a continuing need forgaming machine manufacturers to produce new types of games, orenhancements to existing games, which will attract frequent play byenhancing the entertainment value and excitement associated with thegame.

One concept that has been successfully employed to enhance theentertainment value of a game is that of a “bonus” game which may beplayed in conjunction with a “basic” game. The bonus game may compriseany type of game, either similar to or completely different from thebasic game, and is entered upon the occurrence of a selected event oroutcome of the basic game. Such a bonus game produces a significantlyhigher level of player excitement than the basic game because itprovides a greater expectation of winning than the basic game.

Another concept that has been employed is the use of a progressivejackpot. In the gaming industry, a “progressive” involves collectingcoin-in data from participating gaming device(s) (e.g., slot machines),contributing a percentage of that coin-in data to a jackpot amount, andawarding that jackpot amount to a player upon the occurrence of acertain jackpot-won event. The percentage of the coin-in is determinedprior to any result being achieved and is independent of any result. Ajackpot-won event typically occurs when a “progressive winning position”is achieved at a participating gaming device. If the gaming device is aslot machine, a progressive winning position may, for example,correspond to alignment of progressive jackpot reel symbols along acertain payline. The initial progressive jackpot is a predeterminedminimum amount. That jackpot amount, however, progressively increases asplayers continue to play the gaming machine without winning the jackpot.Further, when several gaming machines are linked together such thatseveral players at several gaming machines compete for the same jackpot,the jackpot progressively increases at a much faster rate, which leadsto further player excitement.

In some current progressive games, the player must make a side-wager, orseparate wager, in order to be eligible for the progressive game. Inthese games, the side-wager is of the same denomination as the basegame. For example, if the player is playing a gaming terminal with aminimum wager of one dollar, the denomination for entry into theprogressive game is also one dollar.

This can cause player dissatisfaction because the player may decide thatthe original denomination is too high of a stake for a chance at winningthe progressive jackpot. Alternatively, the player may decide to makethe wager, but if he or she does not win, the player may then becomeangry, thinking that he or she has just wasted a large amount of moneyon a chance that amounted to nothing.

Thus, there is a need to allow a player to enter the progressive gamefor a denomination that differs from the denomination of the base game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided amethod for playing a wagering game having a special payout. The methodincludes the step of conducting a basic game in response to a playermaking a wager of a first denomination. A side-wager option for a playerto be eligible for the special payout is then presented to a player. Theside-wager option requires the player to make a wager of a seconddenomination that is different than the first denomination. In responseto the randomly selected outcome of the basic game being a basic gamewinning outcome, the player is credited with an award in the firstdenomination. If the player selected the option to be eligible for thespecial payout, the player is awarded the special payout when a specialrandomly selected outcome occurs in the basic game.

In another aspect of the present invention, another method for playing awagering game on a gaming terminal is provided. The wagering game has aspecial award and the method includes conducting a basic game having aplurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of thebasic game. The basic game has a wagering amount of a first type and anaward that is credited in an amount of the first type. The player isthen presented with an option for to be eligible for the special award,such that the option has a wagering amount of a second type. In responseto the player selecting the option to be eligible for the special award,the special award is awarded when a special randomly selected outcome isachieved in the basic game.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a gaming system forplaying a wagering game having a special award is provided. The gamingsystem includes a gaming terminal for playing a basic game having arandomly selected outcome. The basic game requires a wager of a firstdenomination and awards credits in the first denomination in response tothe randomly selected outcome being a non-special winning outcome. Thegaming terminal also includes a side-wager input device that allows aplayer to be eligible to win the special award. The side-wager inputdevice requires a wager of a second denomination. In response toactivation of the side-wager input device, the gaming terminal awardsthe player the special award when a special randomly selected outcome isachieved.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a gaming terminal forplaying a wagering game is provided. The gaming terminal has a basicgame that includes a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomlyselected outcome of the basic game. The basic game awards a player anamount in a first denomination in response to the randomly selectedoutcome being a basic-game winning outcome. The gaming terminal alsoincludes a progressive payout and an input device. The input deviceallows a player to become eligible for the progressive payout. The inputdevice accepts wagers of a second denomination. In response to the inputdevice being activated, the gaming terminal awards the player theprogressive payout when a special randomly selected outcome is achieved.

The above summary of the present invention is not intended to representeach embodiment or every aspect of the present invention, as there areseveral novel methods and gaming terminals incorporating thiscommunication feature. The detailed description and Figures willdescribe many of the embodiments and aspects of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparentupon reading the following detailed description and upon reference tothe drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a video gaming terminal according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the gaming terminal of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a main display of the gaming terminal of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates the main display with a pop-up feature of the gamingterminal of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a flow-chart describing the operation of one embodiment of thepresent invention.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. Itshould be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to belimited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a typical gaming terminal 10 used bygaming establishments, such as casinos. With regard to the presentinvention, the gaming terminal 10 may be any type of gaming terminal andmay have varying structures and methods of operation. For example, thegaming terminal 10 may be a mechanical gaming terminal configured toplay mechanical slots, or it may be an electromechanical or electricalgaming terminal configured to play video slots or a video casino game,such as blackjack, slots, keno, poker, etc.

As shown, the gaming terminal 10 includes input devices, such as a wageracceptor 16 (shown as a card wager acceptor 16 a and a cash wageraccepter 16 b), a touch screen 21, a push-button panel 22, and aninformation reader 24. For outputs, the gaming terminal 10 includes apayout mechanism 23, a main display 26 for displaying information aboutthe basic wagering game, and a secondary display 27 that may display anelectronic version of a pay table, and/or also possibly game-relatedinformation or other entertainment features. While these typicalcomponents found in the gaming terminal 10 are described below, itshould be understood that numerous other elements may exist and may beused in any number of combinations to create various forms of a gamingterminal.

The wager acceptor 16 may be provided in many forms, individually or incombination. The cash wager acceptor 16 a may include a coin slotacceptor or a note acceptor to input value to the gaming terminal 10.The card wager acceptor 16 b may include a card-reading device forreading a card that has a recorded monetary value with which it isassociated. The card wager acceptor 16 b may also receive a card thatauthorizes access to a central account, which can transfer money to thegaming terminal 10.

Also included is the payout mechanism 23, which performs the reversefunctions of the wager acceptor 16. For example, the payout mechanism 23may include a coin dispenser or a note dispenser to output value fromgaming terminal 10. Also, the payout mechanism 23 may also be adapted toreceive a card that authorizes the gaming terminal to transfer creditsfrom the gaming terminal 10 to a central account.

The push button panel 22 is typically offered, in addition to the touchscreen 21, to provide players with an option on how to make their gameselections. Alternatively, the push button panel 22 provides inputs forone aspect of operating the game, while the touch screen 21 allows forinputs needed for another aspect of operating the game.

The outcome of the basic wagering game is displayed to the player on themain display 26. The main display 26 may take the form of a cathode raytube (CRT), a high resolution LCD, a plasma display, LED, or any othertype of video display suitable for use in the gaming terminal 10. Asshown, the main display 26 includes the touch screen 21 overlaying theentire monitor (or a portion thereof) to allow players to makegame-related selections. Alternatively, the gaming terminal 10 may havea number of mechanical reels to display the game outcome, as well.

In some embodiments, the information reader 24 is a card reader thatallows for identification of a player by reading a card with informationindicating his or her true identity. Currently, identification is usedby casinos for rewarding certain players with complimentary services orspecial offers. For example, a player may be enrolled in the gamingestablishment's players' club and may be awarded certain complimentaryservices as that player collects points in his or her player-trackingaccount. The player inserts his or her card into theplayer-identification card reader 24, which allows the casino'scomputers to register that player's wagering at the gaming terminal 10.The information reader 24 may also include a keypad (not shown) forentering a personal identification number (PIN). The gaming terminal 10may require that the player enter their PIN prior to obtaininginformation. The gaming terminal 10 may use the secondary display 27 forproviding the player with information about his or her account or otherplayer-specific information. Also, in some embodiments, the informationreader 24 may be used to restore assets that the player achieved duringa previous game session and had saved.

As shown in FIG. 2, the various components of the gaming terminal 10 arecontrolled by a central processing unit (CPU) 30 (such as amicroprocessor or microcontroller). To provide the gaming functions, theCPU 30 executes a game program that allows for the randomly selectedoutcome. The CPU 30 is also coupled to or includes a local memory 32.The local memory 32 may comprise a volatile memory 33 (e.g., arandom-access memory (RAM)) and a non-volatile memory 34 (e.g., anEEPROM). It should be appreciated that the CPU 30 may include one ormore microprocessors. Similarly, the local memory 32 may includemultiple RAM and multiple program memories.

Communications between the peripheral components of the gaming terminal10 and the CPU 30 occur through input/output (I/O) circuits 35 a. Assuch, the CPU 30 also controls and receives inputs from the peripheralcomponents of the gaming terminal 10. Further, the CPU 30 communicateswith external systems via the I/O circuits 35 b. Although the I/Ocircuits 35 may be shown as a single block, it should be appreciatedthat the I/O circuits 35 may include a number of different types of I/Ocircuits.

The gaming terminal 10 is typically operated as part of a game controlnetwork 50 having control circuitry and memory devices. The game controlnetwork 50 may optionally include a system memory 52 for alternativestorage of data. The game network 50 can include instructions forplaying games, such as progressive jackpots that are contributed to byall or some of the gaming terminals 10 in the network 50. The gamingterminal 10 often has multiple serial ports, each port dedicated toproviding data to a specific host computer system that performs aspecific function (e.g., account system, player-tracking system,progressive game control system, etc . . . ). To set up a typical serialcommunication hardware link to the host system, the typical RS-232point-to-point communication protocol that is often present in thegaming terminal 10 is converted to an RS-485 (or RS-485-type)master-slave protocol so as to take advantage of some of the advantagesof the RS-485 capability (e.g., multi-drop capability that allows manygaming terminals 10 to communicate with the game control network 50). Toperform this function, a custom interface board may be used by thegaming terminal 10 for each communication port in the gaming terminal10. It should be noted that the gaming terminal 10 can initially bedesigned to be configured for a typical RS-485 protocol, instead of thetypical RS-232 protocol. Further, the gaming terminal 10 may simply bedesigned for an Ethernet connection to the game control network 50.

The gaming terminal 10 and associated game control network 50 is capableof executing wagering games on or through a controller 60. Controller60, as used herein, comprises any combination of hardware, software,and/or firmware that may be disposed or resident inside and/or outsideof a gaming terminal 10 or like machine which may communicate withand/or control the transfer of data between the gaming terminal and abus, another computer, processor, or device, and/or a service and/or anetwork. The network may include, but is not limited to a peer-to-peer,client/server, master/slave, star network, ring network, bus network, orother network architecture wherein at least one processing device (e.g.,computer) is linked to at least one other processing device. Thecontroller 60 may comprise the I/O circuits 35 b and the CPU 30. Inother embodiments, the CPU 30 may be housed outside of the controller60, and a different processor may be housed within the controller 60.The controller 60, as used herein, may comprise one or more controllers.In one implementation, each gaming terminal 10 comprises, or isconnected to, a controller 60, enabling each gaming terminal 10 totransmit and/or receive signals, preferably both, in a peer-to-peerarrangement. In another example, the controller 60 may be adapted tofacilitate communication and/or data transfer for one or more gamingterminals 10 in a client/server or centralized arrangement. In oneaspect, shown in FIG. 2, the controller 60 may connect the gamingterminal 10 via a conventional I/O port and communication path (e.g.serial, parallel, IR, RC, 10bT, etc.) to the game control network 50,which may include, for example, other gaming terminals connectedtogether in the game control network 50.

Turning now to FIG. 3, the main display 26 of one embodiment of thepresent invention is shown in more detail. In this embodiment, the basicgame is a slot machine game, with symbols on five different reels 36,38, 40, 42, 44. The reels 36-44 may be either traditional mechanicalreels or they may be computer-generated images of reels, with each reelcomposed of a plurality of symbols. Payline indicators 46 indicate arandomly selected outcome for each payline, which is the combination ofsymbols on the reels 36-44. Thereafter, an outcome indicator 48indicates whether the outcome has resulted in a payout, a progressivejackpot, a bonus game, or whether it resulted in nothing. While multiplepaylines are shown, a gaming terminal 10 with a single payline will alsowork with the present invention.

In the present example, the wagering game shown is “Big Bass Bucks,”where the symbols include various types of fish, lures, bobbers, andother symbols related to fishing. In accordance with the presentinvention, the player can open an interactive pop-up window 53 (FIG. 4)by touching different portions of the touch screen video display 21 andcan in turn, configure different aspects of the wagering game via thepop-up window 53. FIGS. 3 and 4 depict a player's hand 54 pointing to aportion of the display image. The hand 54 is not part of the displayimage, but rather represents the player's physical hand touching aportion of the display image to either open the pop-up window 53 orselect an option within a previously opened pop-up window 53.

In the illustrated embodiment, the player is playing a twenty-five cent($0.25) wagering game. In other words, to participate in the basic gameof the gaming terminal 10, the player must make a wager of at leasttwenty-five cents ($0.25), and every additional wager in the basic gameis made in twenty-five cent increments. Accordingly, any winningsachieved by the player are awarded in twenty-five cent increments.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, display images illustrate the use of thepop-up window 53 to make a side-wager. Before spinning the reels 36-44,the player can touch a progressive-indicating symbol 56, in this case,the “Big Bass Bucks” symbol, to open the pop-up window 53 (FIG. 4).Using the pop-up window 53, the player can then place a wager allowingthe player to be eligible for the progressive jackpot.

To play for the progressive jackpot, the player needs to make aside-wager. In this embodiment, the side-wager is in the amount of onecent, or a penny. The side-wager amount is in a denomination that isdifferent from the denomination required to play the basic game. Becauseit is cheaper to place the side-wager for the progressive jackpot thanto play the basic game, the player is more likely to place theside-wager for the chance to win the progressive jackpot. Also, sincethe amount wagered is relatively small, the player will not be asdissatisfied if he or she does not win the progressive jackpot.

To show the two different denominations being wagered, the display 26 ofthe gaming terminal 10 can have two credit meters 58, 60, one for eachdenomination. Alternatively, the meter may not be in traditionalcredits, but may only reflect the actual amount being wagered andcredited. For example, in a gaming terminal having a single meter, everytime the player makes a single wager in the basic game, the meter willdebit twenty-five cents from the meter. Should the player win in thebasic game, the meter will be credited by the number of creditsmultiplied by twenty-five cents. Every time the player chooses to make aside-wager to play for the progressive jackpot, the meter will deductonly a penny.

Turning now to FIG. 5, the operation detailing the method of playing thegame according to the illustrated embodiment of the invention will bedescribed. In step s100, a player at the gaming terminal 10 begins agaming session by any conventional method (e.g., inserting coins orusing credits). The gaming terminal 10 has a basic wagering game thatinvolves a player making various inputs, including, for example,choosing a number of paylines to play (step s102). In some embodiments,there are a maximum of nine paylines, as shown in the gaming terminal 10of FIG. 1. In other embodiments, there may only be a single payline. Inthose embodiments, this step would be skipped. After choosing how manypaylines to play, the player selects how many credits (e.g., 1-5) towager on each payline (step s104).

At step s105, the gaming terminal 10 provides the player with the offerto make a side-wager to play for the progressive jackpot. The“side-wager” option is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/659,878, filed on Sep. 11, 2003, entitled “Gaming Machine WithMulti-Level Progressive Jackpot,” which is commonly owned and hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety. After the player selectswhether to make the side-wager, the player begins the basic wageringgame (step s106); thereby causing the reels to spin and display a symbolcombination that corresponds to the randomly selected outcome from theCPU 30 (FIG. 2). If the randomly selected outcome (i.e., arrangement ofsymbols) is not one of the winning outcomes according to a basic-gamepay table (not shown), the system returns to step s100, and the game isready to begin again.

If the randomly selected outcome is one of the winning outcomes, thenthe gaming system progresses to step s110, where it is determinedwhether the winning outcome is a progressive jackpot winning outcome. Ifthe answer is “no,” play proceeds to step s112, and the player is giventhe award that corresponds to the winning combination achieved.

If the answer at step s110 is “yes,” then the gaming terminal 10determines whether the player elected to make the side-wager at steps114. If the answer is “no”, the game returns to step s100 and the gamebegins again. If the answer is “yes,” then the player is awarded theprogressive jackpot and the gaming terminal then returns to step s100.

In some embodiments, the player may have both a non-progressive winningoutcome and a progressive winning outcome. In that case, regardless ofwhether the player made the side-wager, the player is still given theawards from the non-progressive winning outcomes, but not theprogressive jackpots. If the player has made the side-wager, then theplayer wins the prizes associated with both outcomes.

In the above-illustrated embodiment, the basic game wager amount is aquarter. It should be understood that in other embodiments, the basicgame denomination can be any denomination (e.g., a penny, nickel, dime,quarter, dollar, etc . . . ). Also, the side-wager denomination in theabove embodiment is a penny, but it may also be any denomination.

In an alternative embodiment, there may be multiple progressive jackpotsof varying amounts (e.g., a mini, a maxi, and a mega). The player mayhave to make multiple side-wagers in order to be eligible for all of thejackpots. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the denominations wageredmay be different for each of the different jackpots. For example, theside-wager for the mini jackpot may be a penny, the side-wager for themaxi jackpot a nickel, and the side-wager for the mega jackpot may be adime. The amount of the denomination needed to enter may correspondeither directly (the higher the jackpot, the larger the side-wagerdenomination) or inversely (the higher the jackpot, the smaller theside-wager denomination) to the amount of the jackpot. Alternatively,the jackpots may be divided by hit rate, and the amount of theside-wager may be based on that, e.g., the side-wager denomination maybe larger for jackpots that hit more often.

In other embodiments, the player may be able to make multipleside-wagers on each spin in order to increase their odds of winning ajackpot.

In some embodiments, the player may not use the touch screen 21 to enterthe side-wager, but instead activate a dedicated button on the gamingterminal 10. Alternatively, the button may be included on the touchscreen 21 (as opposed to activating a progressive jackpot symbol on thereels 36-44).

The above games have been described with the side-wager being made tobecome eligible to win a progressive jackpot, but the side-wager featuremay also be used to enter another secondary game, such as a bonus game.In this embodiment, the player may only gain entry to a bonus game ifthe side-wager has been made. In some embodiments, there may be multiplebonus games, and the player becomes eligible for the multiple bonusgames by placing a side-wager for each bonus game. For example, theremay be ten bonus games, and in order for the player to be eligible toenter all ten, the player would have to make ten side-wagers.Alternatively, the bonus games may require different amounts be wageredfor each depending on various conditions, such as amount to be won orhit rate.

The side-wager can also be made on an outcome at a different gamingterminal. The side-wager may be placed on whether a player at adifferent gaming terminal wins the progressive jackpot. The playermaking the wager would then receive an award for making such a wager.This side-wager option is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/612,478, filed on Jul. 2, 2003, entitled “Gaming Machine Having ACommunity Game With Side Wagering” which is commonly owned and hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

In all of the above-mentioned embodiments, the pay-out resulting fromcombination of the side-wager being made and the appropriate eventoccurring may be made in either the denomination that corresponds to thefirst, or basic game (twenty-five cents in the first embodiment) or inthe denomination that corresponds to the side-wager (one cent in thefirst example).

While the above embodiments have described a progressive game and/orjackpot, it should be understood that the present invention applies toall secondary games and/or payouts including bonus game and/or payoutsand the like.

While the present invention has been described with reference to one ormore particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognizethat many changes may be made thereto without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention. Each of these embodiments andobvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spiritand scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the followingclaims.

1. A method for playing a wagering game having a special payout, themethod comprising: in response to a player making a wager of a firstdenomination, conducting a basic game having a randomly selectedoutcome; presenting a side-wager option for a player to be eligible forthe special payout, the side-wager option requiring the player to make awager of a second denomination, the second denomination being differentfrom the first denomination; in response to the randomly selectedoutcome of the basic game being a basic game winning outcome, creditingthe player with an award in the first denomination; and in response tothe player selecting the option to be eligible for the special payout,awarding the player the special payout when a special-payout outcomeoccurs in the basic game.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprisingawarding the player the special payout in the second denomination. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein the special payout is a progressivejackpot or a payout from a bonus game.
 4. A method for playing awagering game on a gaming terminal, the wagering game having a specialaward, the method comprising: conducting a basic game having a pluralityof symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the basic game,the basic game having a wagering amount of a first denomination and anaward that is credited in an amount of the first denomination;presenting an option for a player to be eligible for the special award,the option having a wagering amount of a second denomination; and inresponse to the player selecting the option to be eligible for thespecial award, awarding the special award when a special-award outcomeis achieved in the basic game.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein theconducting step comprises choosing at least one of a plurality ofpaylines to play and choosing a wager amount for each of the pluralityof paylines chosen.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the awarding stepis performed by a controller in the gaming terminal.
 7. The method ofclaim 4, wherein the special award is entry to a bonus game or a bonusjackpot.
 8. The method of claim 4, wherein the special-award outcome isan outcome that is achieved on a second gaming terminal.
 9. The methodof claim 4, wherein the special award is awarded in amounts of the firstdenomination.
 10. The method of claim 4, wherein the special award isawarded in amounts of the second denomination.
 11. A gaming terminal forplaying a basic game having a randomly selected outcome, the basic gamerequiring a wager of a first denomination and awarding credits in thefirst denomination in response to the randomly selected outcome being anon-special winning outcome, the gaming terminal having a side-wagerinput device for allowing a player to be eligible to win the specialaward, the side-wager input device requiring a wager of a seconddenomination, wherein, in response to activation of the side-wager inputdevice, the gaming terminal awards the player a special award when aspecial-award outcome is achieved.
 12. The gaming terminal of claim 11,wherein the special-award outcome occurs in a bonus game and the specialaward is a bonus game jackpot.
 13. The gaming terminal of claim 11,wherein the side-wager input device is a button, a key, or a symbol on atouch screen.
 14. The gaming terminal of claim 11, wherein the first andsecond randomly selected outcomes comprise a plurality of symbols. 15.The gaming terminal of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality ofsymbols is a card from a deck of playing cards.
 16. The gaming terminalof claim 14, wherein the gaming terminal is a slot machine and each ofthe plurality of symbols is a standard slot machine symbol.
 17. Thegaming terminal of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of gamingterminals for conducting wagering games, each of the plurality of gamingterminals having the side-wager input device and the side-wager inputdevice is adapted to allow a wager to be made on an outcome occurring onanother of the plurality of gaming terminals.
 18. The gaming terminal ofclaim 11, wherein the special award comprises a plurality of awards andthe side-wager input device is adapted to receive a separate side-wagerfor each of the plurality of awards.
 19. The gaming terminal of claim18, wherein each of the separate side-wagers is of a differentdenomination.
 20. The gaming terminal of claim 18, wherein the pluralityof awards is a plurality of progressive jackpots or entry to one of aplurality of bonus games.